Obituary of Petuel Leon Veillard

Petuel Leon Veillard, age 87, of Winter Haven Florida, sadly passed away on February 16th  2024. He was born on October 31st, 1936, in Jacmel, Haiti to Christiane “Suzane” Elgirus and Amedee Bauchereau. 

He is preceded in death by his son, Petuel Leon Veillard Jr.; grandson, Darrel Chrispin.   

He is survived by daughters, Magda Louissaint, Kherlyn Veillard-Marcel; Sons-in-law, Carlo Marcel and Joseph J. Chrispin; Sons, Darlen Joseph and Patrick Veillard; Grandson, Zakarri Marcel ; Granddaughters, Bhrianna Veillard and Dora G. Chrispin; Great-granddaughters, Dyani St Cyr, Dami Norelus and D’eeajah Norelus; Grand Nephews, Gino Elie and Phillipe Elgirus, Shawn Futterer, Marvin Koch, Kevin R. Elgirus, Wesner T. Elgirus II; Grand Niece, Leni Futterer; Nieces, Johanne Laplante and Joanne Labatte; Sisters, Marie Lourdes Elgirus and Yanick Craft; Brothers, Wesner Elgirus, Gerard Elie, Bouboule Frantz Craft, and Robert Denis. 

Before arriving in United States, he had been a proud, dedicated military officer of the Haitian Army, who quickly showed great promise. Sadly, however, he had to leave Haiti thereabout 1966, landing in New York in search of a better life in the United States after nearly escaping execution for treason, due to an alleged involvement in an attempted military coup d’etat to overthrow the notorious dictatorship of Francois Duvalier. 

Prior to the alleged coup, he was in line for a promotion from the rank of Captain to Major. But faith dictated otherwise. 

Once settled in the United States, he immediately set out to send for loved ones back home, including his wife and children, parents, brother and sister, as well as other relatives. He worked tirelessly to make the most of himself in his newly adopted country and aspired to achieve the American dream of providing better opportunities for himself and his loved ones. 

Besides New York, he lived in a few different states and cities, including Washington DC, Maryland, Miami, Orlando and finally deciding to settle in Haitian community of Winter Haven, FL, where he felt most comfortable, deciding to make it his permanent residence. 

While in Miami, he had earned a Masters in Jurist Doctor degree at the University of Miami and, thereafter, decided to dedicate the rest of his career to helping other foreigners, mostly in the Haitian community, become permanent residents and ultimately earning their US citizenship. 

He dedicated the majority of his life to helping countless numbers of individuals and their families from all walks of life achieve their dreams and aspirations. 

Upon his passing, he will be truly missed for his strong leadership in the Haitian community, and for his warm and vibrant personality, immediately impacting the lives of almost all those who he came into contact with, young and old alike.